CTE Resources

• Learn more about how Career & Technical Education (CTE) prepares learners for their futures while closing the skills gap for employers across the country in this CTE 101 video from Advance CTE.
• Resources to Engage Families & Learners
• Advance CTE Fact Sheets
• Advance CTE Resource Center
• Explore the State Plan for CTE which provides the vision and framework for secondary and postsecondary CTE programming, funding, and accountability for schools throughout the District of Columbia.

• ACT American College Application Campaign
• Advance CTE supports CTE leaders to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs, and pathways through research and insights.
• Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) is a national association representing thousands of career and technical education professionals, all working to make a real difference in students’ lives. We provide educators with powerful resources, professional development, and information to help them achieve more.
• American School Counselor Association
• DC Association for Career & Technical Education
• DC School Counselor Association
• National Association of College Admission Counselors
• National College Attainment Network
• Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC)

• Explore Career & Technical Student Organizations active in the District.
• Learn how to bring a CTSO to your school in our DC CTSO Guide.
• Learn more about the National Coordinating Council For Career and Technical Student Organizations here.

• Learn more about DC CTE postsecondary opportunities here.
• College Conversations is an invite-only non-traditional college fair created to address the issue of student “undermatching” at the postsecondary level.
  • LEA Event Overview
  • Nomination Template for Counselors
  • Event FAQ
• DC College Application and Exploration Month builds excitement and enthusiasm around the college application and exploration process and provides every graduating senior with the opportunity to complete their college applications during normal school hours with the help of volunteers.
• DC Decision Day is held on or around May 1st each year to recognize high school seniors for their postsecondary education plans and encourage younger students and families to prepare early for postsecondary education.
• Why Apply DC Day is held each fall to help celebrate the college application season and encourage District students as they complete the college and postsecondary education application process.

• Attain DC connects DC’s non-traditional students to colleges and job training programs.
• The DC American Job Center system partners with a variety of governmental, educational and community-based entities that help customers find employment or become “job-ready.”
• The DC Department of Employment Services Office of Youth Programs (OYP) develops and administers workforce development programs for District youth ages 14-24. OYP provides occupational skills training, work experience, academic enrichment and life skills training to facilitate the development of work habits and skills that are essential for success in the workplace.
• Public Allies is a national organization that connects youth to allies to develop the next generation of diverse leaders for a just and equitable society.
• Year Up works to close the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE), has issued technical guidance for local education agencies (LEAs) interested in allowing Perkins-funded CTE courses to meet high school graduation requirements and corresponding Carnegie Units. See the guide here.

• DC CTE supports schools with strategies to close the equity gaps among special population students in the District who are enrolled in CTE programs. Please visit our DEAI page to access program information, resources, and learning opportunities related to these topics.

• Learn about articulated college credit here.
• Find articulation agreements with our high education partners here.
• Bridge to College Success supports newly graduated public and public charter school students from the District of Columbia, in partnership with Trinity Washington University, as they transition to their postsecondary education.
• DC Dual Enrollment Consortium Program.
• IHE Student Support Service Chart
• OSSE Scholars provides high-achieving, academically motivated students who exhibit financial need with the opportunity to attend selective summer college programs. (Find additional OSSE Scholars documents here.)
• Learn more about DC CTE postsecondary opportunities here.

• Find information about prerequisite courses, the certifying entity, certification exam information and more for the Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) offered by DC CTE on our IRC page and by exploring the IRC one-pagers.

• Learn how DC CTE supports middle school CTE programs here.
• Find middle school CTE-related resources and learning opportunities offered by the Association for Career & Technical Education here
• “Broadening the Path: Design Principles for Middle Grades CTE” and the accompanying blog series take work from a national working group and build consensus about what CTE and career readiness should entail at the middle grades level
• “Expanding Middle School CTE to Promote Lifelong Learner Success” — Research from Advance CTE that examines state approaches to middle school CTE and provides recommendations for implementing or expanding middle school CTE.
• National Middle School CTE Curriculum by State

• FAFSA support
• Learn about the DC Futures, DCTAG, and Mayor’s Scholars programs here.

• Explore the Programs of Study offered throughout the District here.
• Learn about career industries with CareerOneStop videos created by the US Dept of Labor.
• DC Career Coach is a career exploration tool that provides current, local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training.
• Virtual Job Shadow is a video-based career planning platform for students of all ages.
• DC CTE Program of Study fliers
• DC CTE Skills and Abilities Chart
• DC CTE Program of Study Alignments:
  • Two-Year and Four-Year Programs (UDC-CC/UDC)
  • Secondary and Two-Year Programs (UDC-CC)
  • UDC Certificates and Credentials (WDLL, Community College and Flagship)

Find course sequences, standards, and other details for every DC CTE Programs of Study here.

• CareerWise DC is an initiative created by CityWorks DC created to reshape the education-to-employment pathways by partnering with local businesses to offer apprenticeships to students in Washington, D.C.
• DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) meets the need for skilled infrastructure professionals in Washington, DC by coordinating, training, screening, and recruiting residents to fulfill the needs of the infrastructure industry and infrastructure jobs with leading companies in this high-demand field. DCIA is located in the Anacostia neighborhood in Ward 8.
• NAF ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to include STEM infused industry-specific curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.
• The United States Senate Youth Program is a unique and annual educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service and experiencing their national government in action.
• Urban Alliance connects high school students to equitable, inclusive careers through paid work experiences, mentorship, and professional development. Urban Alliance works with schools and employers to address systemic barriers to economic mobility for young adults of color and to bridge the gaps between education and workforce development for all young people.